"But since you don't have to sell what difference does that make? I think New York is stimulating, its vibrations shake up my brain cells. I love being one of the 'teeming millions,' I don't think I'll ever return to Congress."
Clem shook his head rebukingly. "Figente, Vermillion, and that bunch have been a bad influence on you. I wish I had known you were coming earlier because I've a date at six, but you must wait and see Semy. He'll be home any minute. Anyway, I hope to see you a lot, and when you see Lucy tell her hello for me."
The moment he left she tried the Jason again but this time did not leave her name when Lucy did not answer.
Semy came, sleek, his face fuller and imbued with the cordiality of success. "So you're back. Boy, what a day! I've been on the phone talking to Mr. Biggens in Hollywood off and on all day. I'll fix us a drink."
The shy reverence with which he mentioned Biggens seemed to Vida to have the quality of a young girl speaking of a beau, though there was nothing effeminate about Semy.
"Taste this and see if it's dry enough." He smacked his flat lips and handed her the drink with the pomposity of a new connoisseur. "It's fine, and you certainly look up and coming."
"How about Piselli's for dinner?" he preened.
"I want to reach Lucy first if I can. I haven't been able to reach her all day. Have you seen her?" she asked, too worried to cover up her anxiety.
"I saw her at Piselli's about a week ago but I didn't speak to her. I was having dinner with a fellow whose book we may buy," he said importantly, refilling the glasses. "Her agent, Bob Noonan, came in the other day and asked if I'd speak to Biggens about her for a picture."
"But Lucy has never wanted to be in the movies," Vida protested, resenting the inference that Lucy was appealing to Semy for a job.
"Everybody wants to be in the movies," he said coldly, "but I doubt whether Lucy has it in her to make the grade."
She wanted to strike him. "What do you mean?" she demanded.
He finished his drink and took his time answering, a trick he had learned from Biggens which put a questioner at a disadvantage. "Why nothing," he said mock-innocently, "it's that everyone knows she's been slipping. She hasn't been able to get a job."
"That's not true," Vida cried, sick with apprehension. "She got a
